Perfluorooctane sulfonate impairs rat Leydig cell development during puberty.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Toxicology
• Reproductive Biology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) is a persistent environmental contaminant.
• Previous studies suggest PFOS may interfere with male sexual development.
• The specific impact of PFOS on pubertal Leydig cell development remains largely unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effects of in vivo PFOS exposure on rat Leydig cell development during puberty.
• To elucidate the direct effects of PFOS on immature Leydig cell function and apoptosis in vitro.

Main Methods:

• Immature male Sprague Dawley rats were administered PFOS (5 or 10 mg/kg) daily from postnatal day 35 for 21 days.
• Serum hormone levels (testosterone, LH, FSH) were measured.
• Leydig cell gene and protein expression (Lhcgr, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1, Hsd17b3, BCL-2, BAX) were analyzed.
• In vitro studies assessed Leydig cell androgen secretion and apoptosis in response to PFOS.

Main Results:

• PFOS exposure significantly reduced serum testosterone levels without affecting LH or FSH.
• In vivo PFOS downregulated key Leydig cell genes (Lhcgr, Cyp11a1, Cyp17a1).
• In vitro, PFOS inhibited androgen secretion and induced Leydig cell apoptosis at higher concentrations by altering BCL-2/BAX expression and downregulating Hsd17b3.

Conclusions:

• PFOS exposure during puberty directly inhibits Leydig cell development and function in rats.
• Lower doses of PFOS impair Leydig cell steroidogenesis, while higher doses induce apoptosis.
• These findings highlight PFOS as a potential disruptor of male pubertal reproductive development.